| |  | Remember that legally you must be in full-time education until the end of year 11. This is the case regardless of when you celebrate your 16th birthday |
| | | The official end of year 11 is the last Friday in June (although lessons and exams may finish before then). You cannot start a job in school hours until after that date |
| | | Before this time you can work part-time whilst still at school (see employment of children for more information) |
| | | Apprenticeships, jobs and supported training can start any time after the official end of year 11. Many opportunities have summer start dates; others start on different dates throughout the year |
| | | If you’re in work, training or an apprenticeship you’ll receive a wage or allowance as appropriate. The minimum wage does not apply to all stages of an apprenticeship. You may be able to claim an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for some training programmes |
| | | It’s a good idea to know about Income Tax and National Insurance – see www.hmrc.gov.uk for the information |
| | | Once you’ve reached the official school leaving age you can leave college or the sixth form at any stage. Most people wait to complete their courses; others leave early for a variety of reasons |
| | | Whenever you leave college or the sixth form you have the option of starting an apprenticeship, a job or some type of training. Your chances of getting fixed up quickly may depend on the time of year |
| | | Part-time job rules for college and sixth form students are less strict than they are for year 9, 10 and 11 students. It’s advisable to restrict your hours so that your job doesn’t get in the way of your studying. Talk to your Connexions PA, tutors and teachers about this |
| | | Unless you’re over eighteen the situation regarding wages and allowances is generally similar to that affecting people starting work immediately after year 11 |
| | | An apprenticeship is a job where you learn a skill or trade. You’ll be empoyed by a business and paid a wage or a special apprenticeship rate |
| | | Most of the time you’ll be doing your job. You’ll be a learner who gradually becomes more skilled and experienced. Eventually you become qualified to do the job |
| | | Once a week – or through a slightly different arrangement – you’ll go on a course to get the official qualifications to go with your job. This will usually be at a college or training centre (but it could be where you work) |
| | | These courses usually lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and can last up to two or three years. These qualifications improve your career prospects and usually lead to more money |
| | | There are two levels of work-based apprenticeships. “Apprenticeships” give you what you need for many jobs (and include NVQ level 2 qualifications). “Advanced Apprenticeships” train you at a higher level (and include NVQ level 3 qualifications) |
| | | In a small number of cases you may be doing apprenticeship-type training without being fully employed by a business. This is known as a Programme Led Pathway. You may be able to claim EMA for this type of training |
| | | There are apprenticeship opportunities in many job areas. To get an idea go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk |
| | | Some apprenticeships are organised directly by employers. Others are arranged through a national or local training company |
| | | Most apprenticeships start between July and September (to link with college courses starting in September). A few might start at other times of the year |
| | | Be ready to apply for apprenticeships several months before their starting date. You can do this by answering newspaper adverts, writing directly to places and completing forms supplied by Connexions |
| | | Connexions personal advisers and employment & training advisers who visit your school can tell you about the latest apprenticeship situation and supply you with forms (usually from January of year 11). You can also find out more at your nearest Connexions centre |
| | | If you’re at college, in a sixth form or doing something else you can talk to a Connexions PA at any time about doing an apprenticeship, how to find one and how to apply |
| | | To read about Apprentices in Somerset talking about their experiences, you can download a copy of Somerset apprentices in Action by clicking here |
| | | Not all apprenticeships are based upon the idea of learning a skill or trade as part of a job for people aged sixteen or over |
| | | “Young Apprenticeships” are designed for people in years 10 and 11. They give you a chance to mix school, college and work experience whilst you’re still officially at school. Talk to your school or Connexions PA to see if Young Apprenticeships are available in your school and whether they are the right thing for you (see the work experience section for more) |
| | | Some jobs include just as much training and learning as an apprenticeship but might be called something else (such as a traineeship). These jobs often include the chance to gain college qualifications or go on a properly-organised company training programme |
| | | Other jobs might not need as much knowledge as an apprenticeship but still include some training. This might mean you doing a short course for a few days or weeks only (and lead to an official qualification or a company certificate) |
| | | Many jobs include training from time-to-time to allow you to increase your knowledge, learn new skills, take on new duties or hear about changes at work. You are likely to do this type of training throughout your working life |
| | | If you passed less than 5 GCSEs (grades A-C) at school you are entitled to time off work to gain extra qualifications. Find out more by talking to your Connexions personal adviser or employment & training adviser |
| | | Generally it’s a good idea to aim for jobs that involve proper training rather than those that do not. Trained people usually earn more and find their jobs more fulfilling |
| | | A job without training can offer good money at first but may not lead to better money after a while. The trained person may overtake you in terms of earnings |
| | | Jobs without training can be worthwhile in the short-run in helping you gain experience and getting your foot in-the-door with a business. The trick is to use them as a stepping stone without getting stuck in a rut |
| | | Some people might not be suited to a job with lots of training and are happy in a routine job. Seek advice from your Connexions personal adviser if you feel this way |
| | | Many people do these sort of jobs on a temporary or part-time basis. This might be to earn money when studying or during a gap year. It’s also possible to earn extra money doing a second job alongside your main job |
| | | Lots of untrained and unskilled work is organised through employment agencies. If you sign with an agency make sure you understand what is involved. If in doubt talk to your Connexions personal adviser or employment & training adviser |
| | | If your job doesn’t involve training you might be legally entitled to a free course and paid time off work. This depends on how many qualifications you have from school or college. Find out more by talking to your Connexions personal adviser or employment & training adviser
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| | | It’s estimated over three million people in this country are self-employed |
| | | Working for yourself isn’t an easy option for a young person. You would need to be determined, hard-working and persistent. You’d also need a clear business idea! |
| | | Having business skills is also important. You’d need to account for money made and money spent. You’d also have to keep careful records |
| | | Advice for young business people is available from www.shell-livewire.org and www.princes-trust.org.uk |
| | | Local business advice can be obtained from Somerset Business Link at www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest. You could also use your Connexions personal adviser as a sounding board for your ideas! |
| | | If you've a business idea - or are interested in activities such as Enterprise Week - visit the Young Start South West site at www.youngstartsw.co.uk |
| | | One self-employment option is franchising. This involves running a branch of a well-known organisation as your own business. Many shops, restauarants, hotels, parts suppliers, repairers and other businesses are franchises. Find out more from British Franchise Association www.thebfa.org |
| | | Supported training and learning is for people who need extra help and support when they leave school or college (and for a while afterwards) |
| | | This may be because you might not be ready to move on to something permanent. Normally there are two ways around this |
| | | One is to do a college course that allows you to take things slowly and learn important new skills. You could try new things and have a go at different jobs. These are often called entry courses (but names vary between colleges). Some start in September; others allow you to start at different times of the year |
| | | Another is to do a training programme called e2e (Entry to Employment). This gives you the chance to try things out, learn life skills and get ready for a job or college. Courses start at different times of the year and you get plenty of support |
| | | New Deal is an option for young people aged 18-24 who have had a continuous claim to Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) for 6 months or more. It aims to improve your chances of finding and keeping a job. You get help from a New Deal adviser over things like job applications, job finding and re-assessing your situation. Discover more by talking to your Connexions PA, calling the New Deal helpline on 0845 606 2626 or by going to www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
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| | | For college you might be able to claim an Education Maintenance Allowance of £10, £20 or £30 per week. This depends on your household income (not everyone qualifies) |
| | | For e2e courses you will be able to claim the maximum £30 per week Education Maintenance Allowance. |
| | | To work out the best route make sure you talk to your Connexions personal adviser |
